Community joins resident in fight against cancer

July 17, 2014

An Austintown resident his entire life, Jim Locketti, a 1977 graduate of Fitch High School, is now being lifted up by his lifelong community in a time of need.

According to his sister-in-law, Peg Sosnowski, Locketti was diagnosed on March 10 with adenocarcinoma, a form of lung cancer, following a visit to an emergency facility for wheezing.

Describing him as a very active person and having spent his entire life a non-smoker, Sosnowski said Locketti spent the morning of that visit working out.

Article Photos

Photo Special to the Town CrierJim Locketti, a 1977 graduate of Fitch High School and lifelong Austintown resident, is being joined by the Austintown community in his battle against lung cancer at a benefit Sunday at Austintown Middle School.

Following that diagnosis, Locketti has undergone radiation therapy and is currently receiving chemotherapy treatments at the Cleveland Clinic every three weeks.

Sharing that her brother-in-law is very early into his treatment, Sosnowski said doctors are seeing some improvement.

According to information provided by Sosnowski, Locketti has been married to Judy Kane for 26 years, and together they have three children, Kaleigh, Jacob and Alexis.

Locketti has worked for Verizon Wireless for the last 17 years as a business sales manager and coached Little League baseball for eight years and Austintown Soccer League for five years.

Sosnowski said Locketti's friends approached she and her husband, Paul, Locketti's brother, about organizing a fundraiser for him. They in turn spoke to other friends and family members whom she said ''were immediately were on board to help Judy and Jim cope with the long journey ahead.''

Spaghetti for Locketti will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at Austintown Middle School cafeteria, located at 800 South Raccoon Road.

Adult meals will be served for $10 and children under 6 for $5. The Sosnowskis welcome the public to visit, enjoy a great meal and rally for Locketti in his battle against lung cancer.

Speaking on the response to the upcoming fundraiser, Sosnowski said, ''The Austintown community has been wonderful in their response to help, and it is truly a place where people come together to help their fellow friend and neighbor.''

In addition to the fundraiser, donations can be made at any Home Savings where an account is set up.